Effect of Russian airstrikes on ISIL sites should be backed by Syrian troop actions - Gen. Gareyev
MOSCOW. Oct 2 (Interfax-AVN) - The strikes of the Russian aviation group on positions and reinforced targets of ISIL terrorists in Syria will be successful only if Syrian troops operationally seize the bombed territories, President of the Academy of Military Sciences, Gen. of the Army Makhmut Gareyev told Interfax-AVN on Friday.
"According to the Afghan experience, I am well aware: after delivering missile artillery or air strikes on the territories occupied by the enemy, an army operation to capture these territories should be carried out without any delay. Otherwise, the results of these airstrikes will be brought to naught," says Gareyev, who worked as chief military adviser in Afghanistan from 1989 until 1991.
Meanwhile, the general said that the Russian military contingent should not be dragged into combat actions as part of the ground troops in the territory of Syria against ISIL terrorists and other gunmen under any circumstances.
Gareyev said that not only the number of airstrikes on the spotted ISIL targets and other international terrorists are important, but, first and foremost, close coordination of the Russian aviation contingent with Syrian troops through the information center in Baghdad and the General Staff of the Syrian army.
"In this regard, the coordination center in Baghdad should have close contacts with the Syrian army headquarters. In particular, this is needed for operational planning of army operations, making required changes in these plans after Russian warplanes have delivered the strikes," Gareyev said.
He said that the success in the struggle against international terrorists in Syria involving Russian combat aviation will completely depend on the coordination of actions by the whole coalition and effective use of the results of Russian airstrikes.
"The coordination of joint actions will finally determine the terms of stay of the Russian contingent in Syria," the general said.